Plano dogs get a second chance

Two dogs from Plano, passed up for adoption last year, were given a second chance by being chosen to participate in Extreme Mutt Makeover, a program through the Humane Society of North Texas. One of the mutts from Plano placed first in the contest Aug. 13 and 14 at Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth.

They joined canines from other North Texas animal shelters. The dogs were all given temporary homes with amateur and professional trainers in order to teach them the basics of obedience and some fun skills.

Fifteen trainers were assigned a shelter dog through a random drawing and had two months to train the dogs in basic obedience, including housebreaking, leash work, house manners, socialization with other dogs and people, agility, spins and other freestyle tricks like walking through legs, rolling over, playing Frisbee and fetching balls.

Last weekend the dogs and their trainers were invited to demonstrate what they had accomplished during the 60-days.

Michelle Stockton, one of the trainers, had never worked with dogs except her own.

“I get a great deal of gratification by taking a dog who couldn’t be adopted and one that doesn’t have any skills and train them so they can have a good home.” said Stockton. “Patti Cake showed incredible focus and determination during the preliminary stages of the competition as well as during the finals.”  

She was worried Patti Cake [the dog she trained for the program] would get scared when they entered Will Rogers Coliseum to perform in front of hundreds of people.

“She kept her attention on me as she ran through her routine in her typical bubbly manner,” Stockton said. “The only time she seemed nervous was at the end when there were cameras in front of us and we were celebrating her victory.”

Stockton won a belt buckle and a check for $1,000 for her success with Patti Cake.

Traci Murdock, a professional trainer for 10 years who specializes in dog sports, is training one of the Plano dogs. She trained Checkers at Dog City Training Center in Carrollton on a donated tuition program.

“Checkers is a great dog with loads of personality and desire to work. He soaks up learning, loving every activity that we tried together,” said Murdock. “He ended up with a great foundation of training and defines ‘joy’ whenever you are with him.”

It was important to Murdock to show how much training can make a difference since behavior issues are said to be one of the top killers of dogs.

“It’s why they get dumped, abandoned and surrendered to shelters, so every time we can show how well they do with just a bit of attention and training, it may save another dog’s life,” Murdock said. “It was wonderful how much attention and media attention the EMM got this year – it will help raise more money and save more dogs directly next year, and we’ll be able to save that many more indirectly.”

The Humane Society of North Texas was able to save more than 40 dogs at the event this year.

“Who knows how many were saved at other shelters and rescues because of the EMM dogs that got a chance to shine,” Murdock added.

Both dogs were adopted due to the program.

“Patti Cake was adopted by a lovely family and is now the companion of a 9-year-old Lhasa Apso/Shi Tzu mix named Ollie,” Stockton said. “She is a shining example of the love and obedience shelter dogs have to offer.”

Checkers was adopted by someone that saw him at an event and fell in love.

“That was a great way to finish his Extreme Mutt Makeover,” Murdock said. “He was also an awesome role model to show how far shelter dogs can go and how much they can become a part of families if given the chance.”

Jennifer Petrucelli, animal services officer for the city of Plano, was in attendance at the contest last weekend.

“I arrived Saturday morning, got the booth set up and walked around to see the other dogs and was able to read up on the trainers that were there. All but one or two were professional dog trainers,” Petrucelli said. “All the dogs were amazing with only two months of training. It really was something to see.”

Petrucelli hopes more dogs will have the same opportunity to find homes.

“We all hope that this will help when people come in to see the dogs at the shelter,” Petrucelli said. “That it doesn’t matter what kind of dog or if it was a stray or owner-surrender. With a little bit of training, they can all be great pets.”

Jamey Cantrell, animal services manager for the city of Plano, thinks this is a great program for those dogs that may get overlooked.

“We are very proud of the fact that both of our dogs did very well in the competition, and Patti Cake winning is just further proof of how much potential each one of the homeless animals in our care have,” said Cantrell. “Events like the Extreme Mutt Makeover help get out the message that with a little love, patience, and time, shelter pets can be the best friend you’ve ever had and we are very thankful that the Humane Society of North Texas let us participate.”

Many shelters are overflowing with animals that need a home.

“Since 2007, the Extreme Mustang Makeover has placed nearly 2,000 of America’s iconic wild horses for adoption and the foundation is using the same philosophy when it comes to placing America’s favorite companion animal for adoption,” said Mustang Heritage Foundation Executive Director Patti Colbert. “This is taking rescue to an extreme by including accomplished dog trainers in the lives of these abandoned and unwanted animals, proving that they can be truly valuable to the lives of their adopters.”

The EMM program is new to North Texas and with the help and support of HSNT, local animal shelters, and volunteers it can be a continued success.

“The Humane Society of North Texas is passionate about finding lifetime homes for animals in need, and the Extreme Mutt Makeover is a fantastic opportunity to spread the message that shelter dogs simply need a second chance,” said Tammy Hawley, director of operations for the HSNT.

The event brought attention to more than the animals in the mutt make-over.

“The best part of the entire event is that Patti Cake, Checkers, and 42 other dogs all got what we try to find for every other pet we handle: a loving home,” Cantrell said.

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